Chapter 103: The Bed Is Too Small

After finishing his cigarette, Nathael returned to Maggie's hospital room. He found her asleep, her arms behind her, still attached to the IV drip. He checked the IV bag's contents and quietly settled into a chair beside her bed, watching over her.

In her sleep, Maggie seemed uneasy. Her delicate eyebrows were furrowed, likely a sign of discomfort. Under the soft, dim light, her bare face appeared serene and youthful, lacking its usual daytime glow. Nathael tenderly held her hand, his gaze filled with affection and a hint of melancholy as he pondered her relationship with Ericko. Then he muttered, "You unfeeling creature."

Half an hour later, a nurse came in to disconnect the IV. Maggie woke, sitting up groggily. She looked irritable. As she tried to withdraw her hand, Nathael gently held it in place, applying pressure to the needle site to stop any bleeding.

Looking up at him, Maggie noticed his composed demeanor and the slight redness in his eyes. When he noticed her looking, he asked, his voice deep and resonant, "Do you like what you see?"

Caught off guard, Maggie's initial confusion quickly turned into a bashful acknowledgment of his teasing. She blinked, then answered softly, "Of course." In her eyes, his allure was undeniable, captivating.

Nathael smirked. "Even better than Sean?"

Maggie blinked, wondering why he'd make such a comparison. Sean was handsome, but it was a different kind of handsomeness. People like them often had similar temperaments, leading to friendship, but they were still different. Sean emanated a genteel and cultivated presence, his appealing features softened by his gold-rimmed glasses, evoking an air of scholarly refinement.

Nathael's grip on her hand tightened. Caught by his piercing look, Maggie asked, confused, "Who's Sean?"

"Gosh, I almost died," she thought.

With a scrutinizing glance, Nathael explained, "He's the doctor we met earlier."

"You're much more… penetrating. Your nose is more distinguished, and your lips… they're just irresistible! Sean can't hold a candle to you!" Her words flowed freely, filled with genuine admiration and adoration. She thought, He should be satisfied, right?

However, Nathael sneered, hinting at a complexity she hadn't anticipated. "Your observations are quite meticulous."

Maggie didn't know what to say. Well, I'm done for. Why is Nathael's focus so strange?

The tension grew palpable. Maggie, noting his serious expression, tried to lighten the mood by lightly scratching his hand, teasingly saying, "Don't be upset. You're my favorite."

Hearing her declaration, Nathael felt a pang in his chest, his Adam's apple bobbing. He studied her, his eyes probing and curious. He couldn't shake thoughts of her past relationship with Ericko. Was she being genuine, or was it a spontaneous statement? Recalling her previous statement that she would never have feelings for someone like him, he wondered about the sincerity of her words. Yet, he couldn't deny the surge of happiness he felt.

"Go back to bed, rest early," Nathael urged gently.

Observing his composed demeanor, Maggie felt confused. Had his feelings changed? She'd expected a positive reaction, but his response was contrary to her expectations.

Nathael rose, switched off the light, adjusted the bed, tucked her in, and sat on the edge. In the dimness, only a faint glow remained.

Maggie thought, The rain has stopped, and the moon's out. Then she focused on the ceiling before turning back to him. "Are you not going to sleep?" she inquired softly.

He had no plans to leave. Apparently, he intended to stay by her side throughout the night.

"Yeah, I'm keeping watch over you," Nathael responded, sensing her gaze.

Silence descended. Whether due to her interrupted sleep or his presence, Maggie couldn't drift off. "What time is it?" she asked.

"One-thirty," Nathael replied.

Maggie thought, It's already so late; will he stay until morning? This stirred guilt. She'd initially approached him for her own benefit, so why was he still with her? Wasn't he afraid she harbored no feelings for him? Unbeknownst to Maggie, though Nathael yearned for more, he found contentment simply being with her. At least she allowed him to stay; at least she hadn't dismissed him harshly. He thought this arrangement was good enough.

After a brief silence, a soft voice broke the stillness. "Nathael."

"Hmm?" he responded, gazing at her as she stubbornly resisted sleep.

Maggie's throat constricted, but she managed to ask, "Would you like to come into bed with me and lie down for a while?"

He hadn't anticipated her invitation. He was stunned for a few moments, his throat subtly moving as restrained desires stirred at her seemingly innocuous words. Maggie's cheeks flushed, her ears burning as she met his gaze. She was thankful for the darkness. She wondered what his response would be. If he declined, she vowed to never concern herself with him again. She'd simply turn away and fall asleep. But that would be embarrassing. Her heart raced. Then, a deep voice broke the silence. "Okay."

Maggie smiled, shifting slightly to make room, and whispered, "The bed is a bit small, but we'll manage."

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